Seven Percent Solution was an American

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

band formed in

Austin, Texas Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the county seat, seat and largest city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and Williamson County, Texas, Williamson co ...

who played

psychedelic Psychedelics are a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary states of consciousness (known as psychedelic experiences or "trips").Pollan, Michael (2018). ''How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science ...

atmospheric rock during 1992–2003. They were a part of the 1990s

shoegazing Shoegaze (originally called shoegazing and sometimes conflated with " dream pop") is a subgenre of indie and alternative rock characterized by its ethereal mixture of obscured vocals, guitar distortion and effects, feedback, and overwhelming vol ...

space rock Space rock is a music genre characterized by loose and lengthy song structures centered on instrumental textures that typically produce a hypnotic, otherworldly sound. It may feature distorted and reverberation-laden guitars, minimal drumming ...

genre. Known for melodic, moody songs, they combined introspective lyrics and vocals with an experimental use of guitars and a more "classic rock"-style rhythm section. Seven Percent Solution recorded two full-length CDs and various cassette tapes and singles. Many of their releases came in handmade covers and limited editions. Most famously their first CD ''All About Satellites and SpaceShips'' came with an extra copy of the CD in its own cover with the instruction "Give this copy to a friend".Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography, Canongate, , p.964 The band developed a loyal following through college radio and praise from magazines such as ''Rolling Stone'', ''Magnet'', ''Option'', ''CMJ'', and ''Pop Culture Press''. Overseas they were featured in magazines such as ''Losing Today'' and ''

Ptolemaic Terrascope ''Ptolemaic Terrascope'' is a magazine covering old and new music, usually of a psychedelic nature. It has been published irregularly since 1989. Originally published by the Woronzow record label, it covers a wide variety of bands and artists from ...

''. They toured regularly throughout the United States. Due to working on other projects and members relocating to other states, the band played its last shows in 2004.(Print)Sevenpercent.com retrieved 01-23-2012

Band members

*Reese Beeman - Vocals, guitar, bass, drums 1992–2004 *James Adkisson - Guitar 1993–2004 *Julian Capps - Guitar, bass, vocals 1997–2004 *Mike Sherrill - Bass 1998–2004 *Scott Sasser - Drums 1992–1998 *Bob Smoot - Bass 1992–1996 *Dwayn Moore - Bass 1996–1997 *George Reyes - Bass 1997–1998 *Sean McGee - Drums 1998–2001 *James Harwood - Drums 2001–2004

Discography

''All About Satellites and Spaceships'' CD

Released in 1996 on the band's own X-ray label. Recorded and mixed by Reese Beeman in his garage studio. It was mastered by Charles Reeves. The initial release came in a handmade cover by the Chicago-based Fireproof Press. In addition the band made their own cover that fit into a pocket of the main cover containing a second copy of the CD. With the instruction to "give this copy to a friend". Eventually in 1998 a single-CD jewel case version was released. From 1996 through 1998 ''Satellites'' received praise from a wide range of publications, most notably from

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its co ...

, with a review by the well-known rock historian

David Fricke David Fricke is an American music journalist who serves as the senior editor at '' Rolling Stone'' magazine, where he writes predominantly about rock music. One of the best known names in rock journalism, his career has spanned over 40 years. ...

. It was later included in ''Rolling Stone'' online's ''List of Albums That Mattered'' in 1998. Madonna - ''

Ray of Light ''Ray of Light'' is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna, released in early 1998 by Maverick Records. A stylistic and aesthetical departure from her previous work, ''Ray of Light'' is an electronica and techno-pop ...

'',

Lauryn Hill Lauryn Noelle Hill (born May 26, 1975) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer. She is often regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, as well as being one of the most influential musicians of her generation. ...

- ''

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill ''The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill'' is the debut solo album by American singer and rapper Lauryn Hill. It was released on August 25, 1998, by Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records. ''The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill'' is a neo soul and R&B albu ...

'',

Jeff Buckley Jeffrey Scott Buckley (November 17, 1966 – May 29, 1997), raised as Scott Moorhead, was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. After a decade as a session guitarist in Los Angeles, Buckley amassed a following in the early 1990s by ...

- ''

Sketches Sketch or Sketches may refer to: * Sketch (drawing), a rapidly executed freehand drawing that is not usually intended as a finished work Arts, entertainment and media * Sketch comedy, a series of short scenes or vignettes called sketches Fil ...

'',

Air The atmosphere of Earth is the layer of gases, known collectively as air, retained by Earth's gravity that surrounds the planet and forms its planetary atmosphere. The atmosphere of Earth protects life on Earth by creating pressure allowing for ...

- ''

Moon Safari ''Moon Safari'' is the debut studio album by French electronic music duo Air, released on 16 January 1998 by Source and Virgin Records. ''Moon Safari'' was re-released on 14 April 2008 to mark the album's 10th anniversary, including a bound book ...

'', 7% Solution - ''All About Satellites and Spaceships'', Beastie Boys - ''

Hello Nasty ''Hello Nasty'' is the fifth studio album by American rap rock group Beastie Boys, released by Capitol Records and Grand Royal Records on July 14, 1998. It sold 681,000 copies in its first week, debuting at number 1 on the ''Billboard'' 200 alb ...

''. The CD topped at number 20 on the CMJ music charts. *Reese Beeman - Vocals, guitar, *Scott Sasser - Drums, *Dwayn Moore - Bass, *James Adkisson - Guitar # All About Satellites and Spaceships # Built on Sand # Revolve # Happy? # Air Bends Sunlight # Your Kingdom, Your World # Road and the Common # Snuff Gold and Gold Tilings # Blindshore # Lost # Sky Suspended

''Gabriel's Waltz'' CD

Released in 1999 on the band's own X-ray label. Recorded and mixed by Reese Beeman. In the middle of recording their second CD drummer Scott Sasser had to suddenly depart the band. In an attempt to finish the CD without a drummer the band sifted through the recordings of songs that were most complete and noticed a similarity. Many of the songs were in

waltz The waltz ( ), meaning "to roll or revolve") is a ballroom and folk dance, normally in triple ( time), performed primarily in closed position. History There are many references to a sliding or gliding dance that would evolve into the w ...

time. It so happened that waltz steps can be thought of as a metaphor for the cycle of life. So that became a theme. The cusp of the new millennium was also a theme. Addressing the complicated feelings associated with the endings of things and change. The cover art included

wood engravings Wood engraving is a printmaking technique, in which an artist works an image or ''matrix'' of images into a block of wood. Functionally a variety of woodcut, it uses relief printing, where the artist applies ink to the face of the block and pr ...

from a 1545 series titled

The Dance of Death The ''Danse Macabre'' (; ) (from the French language), also called the Dance of Death, is an artistic genre of allegory of the Late Middle Ages on the universality of death. The ''Danse Macabre'' consists of the dead, or a personification o ...

by Hans Holbein. A limited hand numbered gatefold paperboard edition was also released on Lone Starfighter Records. This version included an extra song. A cover version of the song Oh Yeah. Originally by the German band Can In the music press ''Gabriel's Waltz'' received outstanding reviews but not in the same measure as their first CD. *Reese Beeman - Vocals, guitar, *Scott Sasser - Drums, *Julian Capps - Bass, guitar, *James Adkisson - Guitar, Omnichord #Dear Anne #The End Of Faith #Carousel #Bruise #Threshold #Lullaby #The Innocentes #Dust And Ashes #Gabriel's Waltz # Oh Yeah - limited edition version-

7-inch single releases

* "Sugar / Halo" released 1993 on X-ray Records * "Lullaby / Oh Yeah" (Can cover) 1998 on

Hidden Agenda Hidden Agenda or Hidden Agendas may refer to: Video games * ''Hidden Agenda'' (1988 video game), a 1988 text-based game * ''Hidden Agenda'' (2017 video game), a thriller video game developed by Supermassive Games for the PlayStation 4 Film * ...

Cassette releases

* ''7% Solution'' released 1993 on Beesmasser *Reese Beeman -Vocals, guitar *Bob Smoot- Bass *Scott Sasser - Drums #Take it Back #Cycle #Waiting for the Rain #Veil #Believe #Valentine #Walk #Threshold

''Sugar''

Released 1994 on X-ray Records *Reese Beeman -Vocals, guitar *Bob Smoot- Bass *Scott Sasser, Drums *James Adkisson - Guitar #Halo #Bruise #Top Half of the Earth #Carousel #Sometimes Never #Sugar #Light #Time and Waiting

Covers tape

A fans-only Christmas gift 1997 on X-ray records #

The Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the developm ...

Tomorrow Never Knows "Tomorrow Never Knows" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, written primarily by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was released in August 1966 as the final track on their album '' Revolver'', although it was the fir ...

# Can - Oh Yeah #

Pink Floyd Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experimentation, philosophical lyrics an ...

Astronomy Domine "Astronomy Domine" (alternative "Astronomy Dominé") is a song by the English rock band Pink Floyd. The song, written and composed by the original vocalist/guitarist Syd Barrett, is the opening track on their debut album, '' The Piper at the ...

Opal Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica (SiO2·''n''H2O); its water content may range from 3 to 21% by weight, but is usually between 6 and 10%. Due to its amorphous property, it is classified as a mineraloid, unlike crystalline forms ...

- Super Nova

Live performance

Live their sets featured film and light shows and a long list of eclectic cover songs. Many of the first Seven Percent Solution shows included setting out rugs and pillows for the audience with the band playing in silk pajamas. The shows incorporated 2 to 3 16mm projectors, spinning color wheels and liquid light projections. Later they used

VCR A videocassette recorder (VCR) or video recorder is an electromechanical device that records analog audio and analog video from broadcast television or other source on a removable, magnetic tape videocassette, and can play back the recording ...

s and DVD players to show their own home made videos. The sets generally included at least one

cover song In popular music, a cover version, cover song, remake, revival, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording by a musician other than the original performer or composer of the song. Originally, it referred to a version of a song releas ...

, Can - Oh Yeah,

- Super Nova,

Nina Simone Eunice Kathleen Waymon (February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003), known professionally as Nina Simone (), was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist. Her music spanned styles including classical, folk, gospel, blue ...

- Lilac Wine,

Leonard Cohen Leonard Norman Cohen (September 21, 1934November 7, 2016) was a Canadian singer-songwriter, poet and novelist. His work explored religion, politics, isolation, depression, sexuality, loss, death, and romantic relationships. He was inducted in ...

- Hallelujah,

- Lover, Radiohead - Palo Alto,You and Whose Army,

Massive Attack Massive Attack are an English trip hop collective formed in 1988 in Bristol by Robert "3D" Del Naja, Adrian "Tricky" Thaws, Andrew "Mushroom" Vowles and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. The debut Massive Attack album '' Blue Lines'' was rele ...

- Angel, Portishead - Over,

Van Morrison Sir George Ivan Morrison (born 31 August 1945), known professionally as Van Morrison, is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose recording career spans seven decades. He has won two Grammy Awards. As a teenager in ...

- Sweet Thing,

Stereolab Stereolab are an Anglo-French avant-pop band formed in London in 1990. Led by the songwriting team of Tim Gane and Lætitia Sadier, the group's music combines influences from krautrock, lounge and 1960s pop music, often incorporating a re ...

- Metronomic Underground,

The Cure The Cure are an English rock band formed in 1978 in Crawley, West Sussex. Throughout numerous lineup changes since the band's formation, guitarist, lead vocalist, and songwriter Robert Smith has remained the only constant member. The band's ...

- Like Cockatoos,

The Monkees The Monkees were an American rock and pop band, formed in Los Angeles in 1966, whose lineup consisted of the American actor/musicians Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork alongside English actor/singer Davy Jones. The group was conc ...

- Porpoise Song,

Loop Loop or LOOP may refer to: Brands and enterprises * Loop (mobile), a Bulgarian virtual network operator and co-founder of Loop Live * Loop, clothing, a company founded by Carlos Vasquez in the 1990s and worn by Digable Planets * Loop Mobile, ...

- Be Here Now

The Ebow

The band became known for its extensive and creative use of a guitar effects device called the

Ebow The EBow, short for electronic bow or energy bow, is an electronic device used for playing string instruments, most often the electric guitar. It is manufactured by Heet Sound Products, of Los Angeles, California. It was invented by Greg Heet i ...

. The EBow is a hand-held electronic device for guitar. The small battery-powered device replaces the pick in the right hand. The EBow produces an infinite sustain, letting the guitarist mimic strings, horns, and woodwinds. Seven Percent Solution is mentioned on the E-Bow website and included in a listing of musicians and bands found in the E-bow packaging.

Present day

In 2010 Seven Percent Solution played two reunion shows in Austin Texas. They also formed a new band HeadShy that includes past Seven Percent Solution members Reese Beeman, James Adkisson, and Mike Sherrill and with the addition of Lisa Lipkin and Wayne Duncan. James Adkisson and James Harwood recorded and performed with A Five and Dime Ship James Adkisson has recorded two solo projects. Blindshore and Dirac C Mike Sherrill and Sean McGee are also members of King Air.

References

{{Reflist, 2

External links

* Seven Percent Solution website https://web.archive.org/web/20111105005911/http://www.sevenpercent.com/ * Aural Innovations Gabriel's Waltz review http://www.aural-innovations.com/issues/issue7/sevper.html * Austin Chronicle Interview http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/vol18/issue33/music.7percent.html Rock music groups from Texas